The offseason has been eventful for the Chicago Bears, as they have a new look at some positions on their roster.
They traded wide receiver DJ Moore, didn't renew their two safeties, and Drew Dalman retired, meaning the attention should be on those positions.
Most of these moves were focused on building a younger team around quarterback Caleb Williams. Heading into training camp, there are three new players fans should watch to see if these acquisitions pay off.
3 Bears offseason additions fans should watch at training camp
Dillon Thieneman, Safety
In the offseason, the Bears allowed safeties Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard to walk in free agency. Instead of re-signing the former starters, they took a bet on Dillon Thieneman from Oregon to be a starter.
Thieman started his college career at Purdue before transferring to Oregon for his junior year and then declaring for the draft. Chicago has proven that the rookies they draft can become starters. The best example of this was Colston Loveland taking the job away from Cole Kmet, but there's no guarantee that the same will be true for Thieneman.
The Bears have clearly wanted their squad to be younger and more athletic. Thieneman has both of those characteristics. Fans will look at him in training camp to prove if he is worth the gamble.
Kalif Raymond, WR
Chicago traded away Moore, putting more pressure on their younger receivers, Luther Burden III and Rome Odunze, to be better. Adding Kalif Raymond to the mix is a safe bet for the Bears. He's only on a one-year deal, so if he doesn't work out, then it won't be that big of a problem.
Raymond will be the WR3, and the Bears get a punt returner as well. In 2024, he led the league in punt-return yards and earned second-team All-Pro honors. He's on a "prove it" deal right now, so if he can start on the right foot at training camp, he can have a future with the Bears.
Adding a reliable veteran receiver who can coach up the younger guys without spending much is a good situation for Chicago. Raymond's contract is only about $5 million for the year, making this a low-stakes but potentially high-reward situation for the Bears.
Garrett Bradbury, C
No one expected starting center Drew Dalman to retire in the offseason, which made the Bears scramble to find his replacement. They acquired Garrett Bradbury on a one-year contract from the New England Patriots.
While Caleb Williams is a shifty quarterback who seems to escape almost any pressure, that was much easier for him when he had an All-Pro Dalman in front of him. Bradbury will need to prove his worth on this team that he can be that.
Read more: 3 Bears players who could be entering their final training camp in Chicago
It doesn't get easy for him, though, because the Bears decided to draft center Logan Jones from Iowa. So, like other players on the team, he will be battling for his spot from a younger guy, and clearly, Chicago prefers fresh legs.
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